We got the Motown legend at LAX and asked what he thought about Kid's potential run next year. Admittedly, kind of a trick question -- Smokey's all about his home state, but politically you'd think he's on the other side of the aisle from Kid. He was a staunch Obama guy, after all.

Well, he shocked us a bit by all but fully endorsing Kid! Smokey says he knows the rocker well, and thinks he's ready for office.

As for whether he'd vote for Candidate Kid -- Smokey's gonna shop around, but he definitely sounds open to it.